Motocross: McCullough bids for upset win

By Roy Harris

The 2011 MRA Ulster Motocross Championship season bursts into action on Saturday at the newly revamped Downpatrick Motocross Park promoted by the Killinchy Club.

Defending Ulster champion in the premier Norman Watt Motorcycles MX1 class Robert Hamilton (G & G Ross Yamaha) from Portavogie will unfortunately be a non-starter having suffered a broken wrist at the recent March Hare event at Donemana.

The action is sure to be fast and furious on Saturday with March Hare winner Tommy Merton (Watt No Fear Kawasaki), Wayne Garrett (TSR KTM), Richard Bird (Watt KTM) and Larne teenager Michael McCammond (JAR Honda) set to be the front-runners in the opening three races of the championship.

All eyes will be on ex –multi Ulster and Irish champion Phillip McCullough coming out of semi-retirement to compete for the A J Plumbing KTM Team and if he produces the explosive form of his championship winning days then the Ballymena man can certainly upset the form book.

Irish champion Jason Garrett will contend the Nutt Travel MX2 championship races and is sure to be in contention alongside Merton and Wayne Garrett in the smaller class.

Racing is scheduled to commence at 11.30am with admission £5 and U-14’s free.

In the second round of the Maxxis British Motocross championship takes place at Canada Heights on Sunday with Gordon Crockard (Relentless Suzuki by TAS), Graeme Irwin (HM Plant Red Bull KTM) and Martin Barr (Proppa.com KTM) all in MX1 class action.

Following round one 19-year old Irwin is the best placed of the local riders in sixth position with ex-British champion Crockard seventh and Barr ninth.

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